PM Modi leads International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata, says yoga is key to a healthier future

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations at Kolkata’s Red Road on Sunday, joining a large open-air yoga session where thousands of people participated across the state for the first time on such a scale.

“Yoga is not just for a better personal life but for the world’s future,” Modi said in his opening address.

The celebrations began at 6:30 am after Modi arrived at the venue from Lok Bhawan, where he stayed overnight. He was accompanied by Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Union Minister of State for Ayush Prataprao Yadav and other senior officials.

Highlighting the global reach of yoga, Modi said June 21 — the longest day in many parts of the world — has become a day when people across countries celebrate India’s ancient tradition.

“Yoga has connected the world to India. It brings people together,” he said.

Referring to Bengal’s cultural icons, Modi said Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga to the world, while Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo highlighted its connection with humanity and spirituality.

Focus on healthy ageing

This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, was highlighted by Modi as a way to maintain physical and mental strength throughout life.

He said yoga can help people remain energetic, manage stress, improve flexibility and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.

“Yoga for healthy ageing must be seen as relevant for people of all ages, not just the elderly,” he said.

Quoting from the Bhagavad Gita, Modi said balance in diet, activities, sleep and daily life forms the foundation of yoga.

He added that yoga is not limited to physical exercises but also promotes mental well-being and self-awareness.

Yoga as a global movement

Modi said yoga should not remain limited to a single day of celebration and urged people to make it part of their daily lives.

He highlighted the government’s “Yoga 365” programme, saying a 100-day online initiative had received participation from people in 130 countries.

“Once this is done, we will have a prosperous and peaceful world,” he said.

First large-scale Yoga Day event in Bengal

The event marked the first time International Yoga Day was celebrated on such a large scale in West Bengal.

Adhikari said more than 10 million people across the state were participating in the celebrations, adding that the state government’s earlier involvement in Yoga Day events had been limited.

After the yoga programme, Modi was scheduled to visit Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to commission three indigenously designed naval ships — INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to leave West Bengal around 11 am.